Agricultural Crisis Shapes Sangrur’s Lok Sabha Polls
Mohinder Singh Kaur, an 80-year-old resident of Gaggarpur village in Punjab, epitomizes the struggles of Punjab’s agrarian community. Her family’s once-prosperous life, sustained by 16 acres of farmland, turned bleak due to the agricultural crisis. Mounting debts and dwindling profits led to her husband’s suicide in 2017, followed by her son’s death. Selling off a portion of their land to settle debts, they now struggle to make ends meet with the remaining land leased out.
This tale of woe reflects the larger crisis gripping Punjab’s farming community, characterized by rising input costs, falling incomes, and a lack of alternative livelihoods. The distress among farmers has fueled protests and political unrest, with issues like debt waivers and minimum support prices dominating the discourse.
As Lok Sabha elections approach, Sangrur, a historic epicenter of farmer protests, emerges as a focal point. While Sangrur boasts high agricultural productivity, it also bears the brunt of the crisis. Political parties like AAP and Congress vie for support, promising solutions to farmers’ woes.
The recent by-poll loss of AAP in Sangrur underscores the disconnect between political promises and ground realities. However, AAP’s robust organizational network and pro-farm policies offer hope for change. Conversely, Congress aims to capitalize on disillusionment with the ruling AAP.
In this electoral battleground, Mohinder Kaur’s poignant story resonates, symbolizing the collective loss and disillusionment of Punjab’s farming community. As she prepares to cast her vote, her thoughts reflect the anguish of a community betrayed by broken promises and shattered dreams.
